Historia Reiss (ヒストリア・レイスHisutoria Reisu?) is the the current queen of the walls on Paradis. She is also the illegitimate child of the nobleman Rod Reiss and the last remaining member of the Reiss royal family. She was raised in isolation on one of the Reiss family estates until the fall of Wall Maria. Shortly after, her mother was murdered in front of her, and Historia was coerced into renouncing her name and claim to the Reiss heritage, taking on the new identity of Krista Lenz (クリスタ・レンズKurisuta Renzu?, also spelled as Christa Lenz in the FUNimation sub of the anime), and entering military service (which was expected to result in her death).

However, largely thanks to Ymir's influence, she graduated as the 10th best soldier within the 104th Training Corps and joined the Survey Corps. She eventually reclaimed her true name, becoming an important asset to the Corps and ascending to the throne after the success of the revolution against the capital.

Contents

Appearance

Historia's character design for the anime

Historia is petite and the smallest soldier from the 104th Training Corps from which the central cast originates. She has long blonde hair, large blue eyes, and a heart-shaped face; she usually wears the standard Survey Corps uniform. Historia is noted for being very pretty; this, coupled with her kindness, sometimes causes her classmates to wonder if she is a goddess or an angel. It is hinted that many of the boys in her class adore her. While on expeditions, she wears her hair in a low ponytail and dons the traditional green Survey Corps cloak.

Personality

Historia shows her true, hollow self

In her Krista persona, Historia is usually very shy, very kind, and uncertain on how to interact with others (likely due to her isolation as a child). However, Ymir notes that Historia's urge to show kindness to others stems not only from a desire to gain their esteem, but also that of the people around her: to be seen as a good person. This likely stems from her having been denied the esteem of others as a child and being raised to believe that she was an unfortunate mistake.

The strongest manifestation of this tendency is Historia's repeated and severe suicidal inclinations; she expresses the desire to die in a manner so that others will not hate her for having existed at all and will speak of her and remember her favorably. A prime example is Historia's attempt to drag a wounded Daz to safety through a blizzard. Had Ymir not decided to help without prompting, Historia and Daz would have both froze to death. This was due to her upbringing, believing herself to be a mistake and hoping that by dying, nobody would hate her.

After her abandonment by Ymir, who leaves with Reiner and Bertolt after the Clash of the Titans arc, Historia loses the hope that the revelation of her name seemed to produce in her. She regresses into a vapid disinterest in anything going on around her. She states that while the persona Krista Lenz was a kind and deeply caring person, the real Historia is vacant inside. Although Eren Yeager tells her that she seems more genuine and "less creepy" now, she continues to regard herself as lacking any true nature or identity. However, during the Uprising arc, Historia begins to slowly believe in herself and develop strength, such as defying her father and later killing him and going on Dimo Reeves' idea to punch humanity's strongest soldier. Like Krista, she develops kindness by freeing Eren and opening the orphanage, developing her own personality.

History

Historia was born as the illegitimate and unrecognized daughter of Rod Reiss (who is later asserted to be of royalty). Her mother, Alma, was a beautiful servant in his household who later became his mistress.

Historia was raised on an estate owned and administered by the Reiss family. Her mother was deliberately distant from her, never engaging her in any form of social interaction or expressing any affection to her. As Historia notes, her mother spent much of her time reading or leaving the estate in carriages; she never participated in work around the estate. Her maternal grandparents interacted with her only to inform her of her obligations around the estate and to instruct her on her chores. Therefore, Historia was gravely neglected by nearly all of her family.

An important factor in her formative isolation was how other children on the estate and surrounding lands had treated her. If Historia attempted to engage with them and/or leave the estate, they actively terrorized her, throwing rocks and shouting abuse at her.

Growing up, she began to read widely, including books that depicted the typical relationship between a mother and her child, causing Historia to question her own relationship with her mother, and desiring to understand what it was like to have meaningful physical contact with her mother. This led to an attempt to hug her mother resulting in her being violently slapped away and causing her mother to openly lament that she did not have the bravery to kill Historia when she had been born. Though bruised and bloody, Historia felt happiness because it was the first time she had ever been spoken to by her mother. After this incident she would not see nor interact with her mother again for several years. During this interlude, she came to understand her position in the Reiss household, particularly that she was regarded by those around her as a curse and grave burden to her family; though she did not understand the reason for her treatment and rejection. The only consolation in her life on the estate were the animals being husbanded, providing her with a means of companionship.

However, she seemingly held one friend during her childhood; a mysterious woman named Frieda Reiss who would visit her in secret. Historia was unaware that Frieda was her half-sister, but remembers her as being her big sis. The woman taught Historia how to read, and further encouraged her personal development in the hopes of becoming a kind girl that everyone would love. She would chide Historia for not being more lady-like, but would become distressed when the girl spoke of her as an ideal role model of a proper Lady. By Frieda's doing, Historia would forget many of these interactions and her existence, save for when the memories were subconsciously accessed during dreams. However, Historia would forget about these dreams when she awoke.

Days after the fall of Wall Maria, Rod Reiss came to the estate with her mother to see Historia and to take her into the Reiss household properly; it is assumed that Historia would thus be recognized as a child and heir to the Reiss family. As they attempted to evacuate they were surrounded by unmarked soldiers of the Inner Brigade of the Military Police Brigade, who then confronted Rod Reiss over the identity of Historia and her mother. Rod Reiss in turn, denied any relation to them. One of the soldiers, Kenny Ackerman, restrained Alma and killed her as she desperately attempted to deny being Historia's mother and her existence thereof. Her last testament before having her throat cut were to look at her daughter and coldly state that she wished she had never given birth to her. The soldiers then attempted to kill Historia as well, but Rod Reiss intercepted their efforts by offering an alternative arrangement: that if, she were to disappear from the Reiss household, assume a new name and identity before enlisting as a soldier, that would mean they would not need to kill her. The soldiers agreed with this, and Rod Reiss then gave her the new name of "Krista Lenz".[9]

Due to the influence of her legitimate half-sister, Frieda Reiss, Historia was able to use a persona that she had created for herself that was to be in all things selfless and kind to those around her. It is this persona that she uses when entering the military; in her innermost self however, she is a melancholy, empty shell of a girl, uncertain of her true nature and personality and of her purpose and meaning in the world.

Story

After the cataclysm of the Colossus Titan breaching Wall Maria, Historia lives in a refugee camp before reaching the minimum age requirement to enable her to enlist as a trainee. Upon her subsequent training and graduation she is ranked as 10th of the 104th; a rank below Sasha Blouse (this is later asserted by Historia to have been given the tenth position by Ymir).[citation needed]

Following her inauguration into the military, Historia is not seen to be partaking in the battle of Trost until attempting to help Armin overcome the distress of him believing himself to have lost his friends to the Titans.[10] She then plays a role in helping a Mikasa lead expedition with the other trainees retaking control the supply room, enabling the trainees to affect a resupply which is preventing their withdrawal from Trost until then. This is while the Rogue Titan engages other Titans in combat, distracting them from the expedition.

Despite her fears in facing the Titans in combat again she volunteers to became a member of the Survey Corps, something she later says is a decision made by her innermost self and that she herself does not understand the reasons behind it. During her first expedition out of the walls she saves Reiner, Armin, and Jean after they become partially stranded in combat against the Female Titan by supplying them with a horse allowing all of them to proceed on horseback.

She is then seen to be holding her position on the tree line (as per orders) baiting the Titans and preventing them from entering the forest while the Survey Corps attempts to capture the Female Titan.

Historia is later shown to be part of the group that is being suspected for being comrades of Annie, when the Beast Titan suddenly attacked with the other Titans.[12]

When Minister Nick reveals to the members of the Survey Corps that Historia may know about the walls having Titans inside them because of her family, and that she went under an assumed name after being caught in the middle of her relatives' dispute. It is not long until Eren and the others realize that she was often around Ymir.[13]

When she remembers being with Ymir when they were helping Daz in her hometown. She is confronted for living under an alias after being caught in the middle of a serious dispute between her families and relatives. Before transforming into a Titan to fight the other Titans attacking them, Ymir makes Historia promise her to go back into living under her real name.[14]

After Historia and the rest of the trainees watch Ymir fighting against the group of Titans nearly falling off the tower when Ymir transformed, to which Reiner questioned her if she knew about it but tells she did not know herself despite being so close to her and refuses to believe it at first. When the Trainees question whose side Ymir is on, Historia remembers some events of her and along with the other watching Ymir's attempt to fight the other Titans and came to the conclusion that she is fighting to protect everyone. She begins to cheer for Ymir telling her not to die and to break down the tower and celebrates when Ymir does so. She, along with the others, ride on her back and land on the ground safely, except for Ymir who is eaten by the Titans. As Historia tries to make her way to Ymir to fulfill her promise she is nearly grabbed by a Titan but is saved by Mikasa. As everyone watches in disbelief at Ymir's wounds and the truth, Historia reveals her true name.[15]

She reveals her true name as Historia Reiss to Hange Zoë and pleads with her to go easy on Ymir. While she knew what her friend did was wrong in hiding information that could have been useful to the Survey Corps, she understood she did it to protect her comrades. Hange tells Historia she understands Ymir being a Titan like Eren and being an ally of humanity, but the political and bureaucratic rules are not as simple as she thinks. She watches with horror as Reiner, in his Armored Titan form, grabs Eren while Bertolt snatches Ymir in his Colossus Titan form.[16]

During the battle, she is assigned to provide care for the wounded. She insists that Ymir is still alive, and begs the other soldiers to rescue her. Later, she joins the rescue mission against Armin's advice. The team eventually manages to catch up with Reiner and Bertolt, but are unaware that Ymir has been convinced to ally with them in exchange for Historia's safety. When Ymir appears in her Titan form, Historia rushes to greet her and is swiftly ensnared in Ymir's mouth, so the Titans can kidnap her.

Historia is on Ymir's side

As the Titans flee from the military, Ymir finally spits her out and partially emerges from her Titan form so they can speak. Historia initially believes that Ymir is being forced to cooperate with the traitors, and begs to be released so that they can escape. However, Bertolt points out that Ymir is not being forced to work with them and demands to know if Ymir is going to change her mind again, abandoning Historia to save herself. At this point, Ymir breaks down and confesses to her that she intends to use Historia's status as the heir of the Reiss family and hopes to save herself from the traitors she served. Using Historia's true nature, Ymir begs her to please save her. In response, Historia smiles and states she will always be on Ymir's side.

When Mikasa arrives and attacks Ymir, Historia quickly steps forward to stop the fight. She pleads with her to spare Ymir, and refuses to back down even when Mikasa threatens her. it is only when Mikasa makes it clear she will not spare anyone who gets in her way, that Historia relents and talks Ymir out of fighting any further.

Before the conflict is resolved, Erwin Smith charges at the Armored Titan with a horde of Titans behind him. Historia is nearly grabbed by a Titan until Ymir rescues her. Historia kills a Titan in the conflict, the first on her record, and Connie attempts to rescue her while the military retreats. Historia rejects his help, saying that she must stay with Ymir if Ymir is to survive. Historia returns to Ymir, letting her know that her presence gives her the courage to fight. When Eren unleashes the Coordinate in the midst of the battle, drawing all mindless Titans to his will, Ymir chooses to leave with Reiner and Bertolt. Historia retreats with the military, reaching out to Ymir as they part ways indefinitely.

Despite her trauma and injuries, Historia pleads with Eren to return to the wall

Upon the military's return to Wall Rose, Historia nearly faints from exhaustion as she is looked after by Rico Brzenska. After a moment, she struggles to her feet and tells her comrades that they should head to the other side of the wall. Eren suggests she should rest, but Historia frantically states that they need to rescue Ymir. As the others discuss Ymir's choice to flee with Reiner and Bertolt, Historia laments Ymir's choice to leave her behind. Jean, addressing her as Krista, notes the change in her behavior, to which Historia tells him that the "Krista" they knew was gone, recalling that it was nothing more than a role she was given to play.[17][18]

Shortly afterward, Historia is relocated with the new Special Operations Squad to an undisclosed location.[19] On her first day with the new squad, Historia reveals her past to her comrades. During her time with the Special Operations Squad, her comrades note the change in her personality since her separation from Ymir.[20]

Eren and Historia talk while in hiding

When the Special Operations Squad leaves from there hideout by Erwin's orders and starts an investigation in Trost District for clues about the Reiss family's true nature, Historia stays behind with Eren in another hideout while Armin and Jean act as their respective doubles.[21] At this time, Historia begins to dream of her time with Frieda, forgetting her memories as she wakes up. With Eren, they discuss the nature of their situation. Historia notes that while Krista was an altruistic, kind-hearted girl, the real Historia is vapid and empty. Eren admits that he prefers the true Historia, a normal girl who is absurdly honest.[22]

Levi forces Historia to accept her role as the future queen

Not long afterward, Hange and Levi discover that Historia Reiss is the true heir to the throne in the walls.[23] After hearing of this news, Historia is reluctant to take on the new role, considering herself to be unfit for the task at hand. Levi becomes aggressive, holding her above him by the collar as he demands that she either run or take up the task. Historia eventually agrees to play the role of queen.[24]

Later, Eren and Historia are given over to Dimo Reeves, the Survey Corps' new accomplice against the Royal Government, so that they can be captured and taken to Rod Reiss. Dimo encourages Historia to get back at Levi once she becomes queen. However, Kenny Ackerman arrives to take Eren and Historia, killing Dimo Reeves in the process.[25]

Historia reunites with her father

Historia and Eren are brought through Stohess District in coffins while the Survey Corps battles Kenny Ackerman's Anti-Personnel Control Squad. As the Survey Corps escapes, Historia at last reunites with Rod Reiss, who apologizes for what he has put her through.[26][27] He brings them into the underground caverns beneath the Reiss Chapel, where Rod plans to give Historia Titan powers so that she may eat Eren and retrieve the Coordinate, the power of the Reiss family.[28]

In the underground caverns of the Reiss Chapel, Historia waits for Rod to prepare the ritual to consume Eren. Seeing Eren awaken, Historia tells him that everything will be alright if he hangs in there for a while longer. She explains that Rod has always been an ally of humanity and had no choice but to deal with Minister Nick, the Reeves Company, and the Survey Corps. When Rod arrives, tells his daughter that he will take over and says to an observant Eren that despite this being his first time here, it is not unusual that it feels familiar. As Rod and Historia place hands on Eren, he receives the final memories of his father Grisha Yeager, including his last memories as Eren's first Titan form consumes him. With the revelation of what his father did, Rod asks Eren if he remembers his father's sins as Historia looks off to the side confused.[29]

Historia, thinking of Frieda and everything Rod told her, looks angrily at Eren with tears in her eyes

After Eren's memories of his father return, Historia receives memories of her half-sister Frieda. She realizes that back on the farm she was not alone since she had Frieda, but is confused about why she did not remember her until now. Rod explains that she would visit Historia and likely erased her memories in order to protect her, which confuses Historia. He then recounts the story of the day Grisha came to the very caverns they stand in, stealing the Coordinate from Frieda and slaughtering all the Reiss family except for Rod himself, who escaped. During their conversation, Kenny interrupts to urge them to speed up the ritual preparation.[30] Historia, having heard everything from Rod and remembering Frieda, has tears in her eyes and looks angrily at Eren as Rod returns with a doctor's bag. After apologizing for making Historia wait, Rod reveals a needle and serum which looks identical to what Grisha injected Eren with. Rod tells Historia that although it sounds strange Frieda is not really dead since her memories live on, asking Historia if she would like to see Frieda. Historia agrees.[31]

Rod explains to Historia that the power Grisha stole and gave to Eren can only be used by a Reiss, which is why Historia is going to take it

Hearing the battle between the Survey Corps and the First Interior Squad nearby, Rod tells Historia that they should hurry. Eren again attempts to speak, but is met with a cold glare from Historia as Rod comments that Eren has realized his fate for his sinful choices. Rod tells Historia that the power stolen by Grisha and transferred to Eren will return to the Reiss family through Historia. He explains that the cave they are in was created by a Titan who also created the walls and altered humanities memories so that they could live in peace. Some bloodlines are exempted, but nobody knows the history of humanity prior to 100 years, or where the Titans came from, except Frieda. In addition to the Titan's power, she knew everything about the world once she gained the power at the age of 15. Rod goes on by saying that eight years ago, in this same cave, she ate his younger brother. This is the duty of the Reisses and has been going on for 100 years, passing down this power so one person becomes a 'living book' entrusted with the fate of humanity. They are free to spread the secrets or tell no one, and everyone has always chosen the latter. Historia begins to ask a question but Rod says that they must hurry due to the situation of the broken walls, the loss of life, and the ongoing civil war. Rod admits that Frieda could have prevented all this and even exterminated all Titans if she still had the power that Grisha stole and passed onto Eren. Rod says that anyone not of the Reiss bloodline cannot fully use the power, so as long as Eren lives the world will remain horrid. Historia is again cut off but this time by Kenny, who lowers himself from the ceiling with his vertical equipment and asks Rod to confirm that only a Reiss can use the power. After he confirms this, Kenny comments that even if he became a Titan and ate Eren it would be pointless.[32]

Historia attempts to free her father from Kenny before she announces her intention to regain the Reiss power and exterminate all Titans

Kenny begins to tell a story about himself as a young man and his dying grandfather. His grandfather, lying in bed, asked if Kenny had killed more MP's and he replied that the ones sniffing around are dead. Kenny said that he found his sister, Kuchel, working at a brothel and that she was pregnant. Another branch of his family moved to Shiganshina but they remain poor due to abuse by locals. Kenny asked why the Ackerman name is so hated when they used to be favorites of the king. After prodding his grandfather with a joke, his grandfather admits that he intended to carry the secrets with him to the grave, but now there is no point. He explained that the Ackermans are feared by the government because they can not be controlled, not hated. His grandfather was born inside the walls so admitted to not knowing everything, but did know that the Ackermans were assistants of the government entrusted with the survival of humanity. Humanity has several bloodlines which can have their memories manipulated, but there are some minorities that are immune to this, such as the Ackerman and Asians. These bloodlines threatened the king's ideas about how to rule since he wanted to erase all memories and bring about peace through this. Kenny was confused by this so his grandfather clarified that the monarchy has the Titan's power, that they have been passing down generations. This power built the walls that resulted in humanity losing memory of anything outside them. Due to their inability to have their memories manipulated, the Ackermans could not be controlled by the King and refused to submit to him unlike most other immune bloodlines. His grandfather ended by saying his parents did not pass this history along so that the monarchy would have no reason to abuse their children, however given the recent abuses that seems to have been pointless. Kenny replied that he will believed his grandfather's story because things will be more fun that way. He explains that that story influenced his beliefs up to today. Kenny violently lifts Rod into the air by his collar and points his pistol at him. Rod asks if Kenny thinks he is lying and he responds no because he waited for this to see if, for once, Rod would not lie. He accuses Rod of this being his family's succession ritual and for stringing himself along. Rod thanks Kenny and as he begins to say that he never understood why his brother took Kenny off the streets, he is interrupted and told to not speak ill of Uri or he will die. Historia pushes Kenny's gun out of the way and demands that he release her father, to which he responds by calling her pitiful.[33]

Historia agrees to Eren's heartfelt request that he be eaten so she can save humanity

Kenny clearly explains to Historia that Rod wants to make her a Titan so she can eat Eren. Historia believes that if it is her duty, then she will do it to save humanity. She announces her intention to eat Eren, bring Frieda back, inherit the history of the world, and then exterminate the Titans. Kenny places Rod in a choke hold and reminds Historia that her birth was a tragedy and Rod never wanted her. Her mother only did it to gain favor but everyone hater her birth, Rod included. Kenny points out the irony in Rod randomly showing up and deciding to be a good father to Historia, which he thinks is only because Grisha slaughtered his 'real' family and he needed Historia's blood. Kenny goes on to say that the council had ordered him to kill both Historia and her mother but that Rod intervened, even having the Church of the Walls monitor her. Kenny starts shoving a large knife down Rod's throat and shouts that he did not want to be a Titan so made his brother and daughter do it. He even hid the fact Frieda lost her powers so that the Reiss family maintained power, and he kept silent about all this before the Battle of Trost which allowed thousands to die. Kenny becomes louder and yells that Rod does not care about his family, humanity, and certainly not Historia, he is nothing but a coward. Rod, surprising Kenny, removes the knife from his throat by badly cutting his hand and tells Historia that there is a reason he can not become a Titan. He also says that he can not trust anyone else, prompting Kenny to release him and rhetorically question what he just said. As Historia rushes to his side, Rod thanks Kenny by saying that he has done well and that he finally understands his brother's decision, however his ambitions will go unrealized. Rod ends by telling Kenny that he is free and should go find another reason to have a long life. Kenny, with a blank stare begins to ascend the stairs toward Eren and remarks that Rod's choice would not be fun. As Rod and Historia react in fear, Kenny ignores them and tells Eren that he will no longer block him from transforming. He removes Eren's mouth restraint and announces that both Historia and Eren will transform, with their being peace if the former wins and nothing changing if the latter wins. In order to help Eren transform Kenny slices along his forehead, pouring blood down Eren's face. Historia screeches in terror as Kenny gruffly says that what Rod suggested can not even be called living. Rod ignores the question and thrusts the needle into Historia's hands, telling her that she will definitely win because he chose a Titan well suited for combat and Eren is still chained. He also clarifies that she only needs to inject his spinal fluid in order to regain the Reiss power. As Historia exposes her arm and prepares to inject herself Kenny uses his vertical equipment to get far away. Just before injection, Historia pauses as she notices that Eren has not transformed and asks him why. As Rod encourages her from afar, Eren replies through blood and tears that what his father did was not necessary. He questions how many people died due to Grisha's actions and remembers several people from his trainee days. Eren confesses that he can not begin to make up for all the death caused before also admitting that he was not necessary. Historia think of the rejection she received from her mother and sympathizes with Eren. He then asks Historia to eat him so she can save humanity and she responds that when Eren called her a normal person it made her very happy. Historia finally attempts to inject herself with the Titan needle.[34]

Historia finally rejects Rod's plan for her to become a Titan, breaks the Titan needle, and flips him onto his back

As Historia pushes the needle into her arm, she has a memory of Ymir in her Titan form and of Frieda at the farm. She complains of a splinter to Frieda she got trying to cross the fence and Frieda responds by removing it. She then confirms what Historia did before screaming at her that she has been told before not to cross the fence. At the same time, she remembers Ymir in a snowy environment, during their training, and then when she asked Historia if she was trying to do a ‘good deed’. Rod asks why Historia has not injected and theorizes that she is scared. His daughter asks him in a petrified state why Frieda never fought. Clinging to a pillar, Kenny mutters that Historia has no guts and should hurry up and transform into this world’s ruler. Historia expands on her question by asking why no Reiss has ever exterminated the Titans despite having the ability to. She confesses that now she remembers that sometimes Frieda would act bipolar and call everyone sinners. After that she would get very depressed and troubled. Historia asks Rod if that is because she inherited the first King’s ideology, and he replies that she is correct. The first King Reiss created the walls and wished for a humanity that was ruled by Titans. Rod explains that in the King’s opinion this was the only way to true peace, while also admitting that he has no idea why since only the inheritor of the power knows. Rod recalls that his father acted the same way and would not release humanity from the Titan’s, nor would he explain why. When it was time for his father to pass on the power, his younger brother Uri volunteered and gave Rod a mission: to pray. After seeing Uri’s eyes once he gained the power Rod knew what he meant. Uri had become the creator of the world who was all-knowing and all-powerful, which Rod announces is called God. As he tenderly grabs Historia’s arms he says that every catastrophe has a reason and every decision regarding humanity’s survival is completely up to God. He goes on to say that his mission is to bring God back into this world and apologizes for not explaining everything up until now but he had no choice. Historia thinks that Rod did have no choice and that humanity is hopeless without the King’s power. However, she knows that she will be controlled by the first King’s ideology and unable to exterminate the Titans. Rod says that he is praying for God to guide humanity just as Historia has a memory of Ymir saying that she can not tell Historia how to live. Historia thinks that it is her mission to become God as Ymir goes on to say that she has a wish. Just before injecting the serum she accepts that this is the way Rod wants her to be but, at the same time remembers Ymir’s wish that she live with pride in her heart and live life for herself. Historia finally rejects Rod’s plan and smashes the needle, spilling the serum all over the ground. At first Rod reacts in shock before angrily yelling at Historia and grabbing her by the shoulders, which forces his daughter to grab him by the collar and flip him over her and onto his back. She then berates Rod for his God talk and says that he has just been saying anything in order to get her to transform. She announces that she has had enough and is not going to be killed by Rod. Historia grabs her dad’s bag and walks toward Eren as Kenny laughs while yelling that things are finally getting good.[35]

Historia begins to free Eren from his restraints and criticizes him for giving up

Eren loudly asks what Historia is doing and she responds that they are going to escape. Eren becomes inconsolable and yells at Historia to eat him since he is of no help, not special, and it is too painful for him to keep living. Historia cracks him in the side of the head with her fist and tells him to shut up while calling him a crybaby, Historia shouts back that exterminating the Titans is too much work and anyone volunteering for that job would be crazy. She goes on to proclaim that perhaps humanity is the problem and they should be destroyed. She looks at Eren very determined and declares herself the enemy of humanity along with the worst girl in history. She successfully removes some of Eren’s restraint and tells him to escape while she destroys everything. Rod, lying on the ground, licks the Titan serum and asks his family to wait for him. At that moment he transforms into a massive Titan, the force of which sends Kenny flying. Eren is happy because now Rod can eat him and regain the power. Historia refuses to leave him and says that despite being mankind’s enemy she is Eren’s friend. She also tells him that even though she is not a good girl she can not stand to see someone crying about how they are not needed, thinking of Frieda and Ymir. She manages to free one of Eren’s legs just as she is blown back by the force of Rod transforming. Before she crashes into the wall she is caught by Mikasa, who asks her if she is okay. Levi grabs the keys to the restraints as Eren notices that his former squad is here. Jean, Connie, and Levi attempt to free Eren as the latter two bicker about the correct keys and the former tells Eren that they have to deal with both that Titan and the remnants of the First Interior Squad. Levi plainly says that the biggest issue is the collapsing roof due to the size of Rod. The Survey Corps members free Eren and pull him back just before a giant boulder comes crashing down. Levi rhetorically asks how shitty can the day get and remarks that Rod looks bigger than the Colossus Titan. As Rod’s Titan continues to stand up more of the ceiling crumbles around him, which causes Kenny to say Rod has messed up and was obviously just as ignorant about the Titans as everyone else is. In the process of escaping, his female subordinate and other First Interior Squad members come towards him, leading Kenny to call them idiots and ordering them to stay back. Jean depressingly states that there is no escape route as the 7 people present are forced against the wall. They all look at Eren to do something and he responds by falling down and crying while apologizing for being useless. He also announces that he was never humanity’s greatest hope, before noticing a bottle that fell out of Rod’s bag that says ‘Armor’. Jean angrily asks why Eren wants to be a tragic hero when he has been able to deal with everything before this. Connie adds that he is being too timid while Sasha says that she does not want to get used to this. Levi blankly remarks that it would be difficult enough to escape carrying Eren and Historia, as Mikasa adds that they would certainly be burned to death if they get close to Rod. Sasha screams that they have no other option before Eren responds that there is no way to escape. Historia harshly asks if he just wants to sit here and die because they are enemies of humanity. Levi apologizes to Eren for always doing this before telling him to do whatever he wants, drawing a similarity to what Levi said back in the Titan Forest when they were being pursued by the Female Titan. Eren, having heard enough, grabs the “Armor” bottle and breaks it in his mouth while sprinting towards Rod and transforms.[36]

The bottle allows Eren to harden his Titan body and create pillar-like structures that support the imploding cave without disappearing even after he is extracted, saving everyone. As Eren regains consciousness, Historia sadly informs him that all the other bottles and stuff in Rod's bag were either crushed or evaporated. However, Levi points out that this ability might be what they were looking for to seal the hole in Wall Maria.[37]

The group leaves the cave and rides following Rod's steps. Historia observes in silence as they discuss Rod's actions, but when Eren suggests letting himself to be eaten by Rod in order for the latter to regain human form and undo the brainwashing made by the First King, Historia replies that this will not work, since the Reiss family has refused to do it for decades, and that is why Grisha stole the power from them.

Everyone agrees but Hange comments that if they do not make Rod a human again, they will need to kill him before he reaches the wall. Historia observes her father now transformed into Titan and apologizes to Eren, because back in the cave she did intend to kill him just because she did not want her father to hate her, but now she is prepared to say Rod goodbye.[38]

Historia ready to fight against her own father

As they get closer to Rod, Eren tries to activate the Coordinate to stop him, but to no avail. They then reunite with Erwin and discuss to fire cannons once he approaches the wall, and to use the Survey Corps in case this does not work. They are surprised when Historia appears wearing the vertical equipment ready to battle, and Levi orders her to stay safe, but Historia replies she is there to settle her own fate.[39]

Rod approaches the wall and Historia and the rest of the squad observe the futile attempts of the Garrison to stop him. After Hange arrives carrying gun-powder barrels, ropes and a net to attack the Titan, Historia helps to put them together. Erwin once again asks her to stay safe since she is going to be the next queen, but she questions if people is so naive to obey a ruler in name only, and states that she has found by herself her own mission.[40]

Historia kills her father

As Rod finally reaches the wall, the Garrison flees and Squad Levi explodes his hands launching the gun-powder barrels. The Titan's head is blown up by Eren in his Titan form by feeding him with more gun-powder barrels,

Historia declares herself as the true queen in front of the citizens

and the squad jumps cutting the flying pieces trying to destroy Rod's main body. Historia attacks too and finds the right piece. As she slices her father's nape, she sees memories of a young Rod jailed while he demands explanations from his father for not killing the Titans despite having the Coordinate, and of Uri and Frieda before inheriting it, expressing their desire to save humanity.

Rod's Titan body explodes and Historia falls on a cart. As she regains consciousness, she finds herself surrounded by the shocked citizens, who recognize her as the one who finished off the Titan but wonder who she is, since she is wearing casual clothes instead of a military uniform. She stands up and tells them that she is Historia Reiss, the true ruler of the walls.[41]

Historia is crowned as the new queen

After she killed her father, Historia has been crowned as the new queen. She was also acknowledged by the citizens as their savior. After the ceremony, she and her friends began finding Levi, meeting Dimo Reeves' challenge of punching the humanity's strongest soldier.[42]

Two months later, Historia has started running an orphanage for abandoned children. She likes to play with the kids, and looks like that she worries more about the orphanage than about the kingdom.[43] However Eren explains that she wanted to do this, searching for orphans from the underground city and other places and taking care of them.[44]

One day, Armin, Jean and Eren are having a talk while Historia orders them to keep working for the orphanage. Then she talks with Eren about his hardening powers, Reiner and Bertolt, questioning why the world is like that. Their conversation is interrupted by a serious Mikasa, that picks up Eren's boxes.[45]

Anime and Manga Differences

In the year 848, two years before graduation, Historia accompanies the other trainees on a wilderness hunt to sustain themselves in times of peace. Along with the other trainees, Historia is pulled into an equipment heist by thieves in the forest and is kidnapped, held as a hostage so the trainees do not retaliate. The ones left behind create a plan to try and rescue her, and after some trouble and the eventual capture of the thieves, Historia is safely returned and the thieves arrested.[47]

Abilities

Historia is a strong soldier who graduated tenth in her class, although Ymir slacked off to improve Historia's ranking. She has mastered the vertical maneuvering equipment and she can kill Titans effectively.[48]

She is also proficient in hand to hand combat, able to throw Rod Reiss, who is heavier and taller than her.[49]

Relationships

Ymir - Their relationship is complex, but they are very close, and Ymir has been stated to be in love with her.[51][52] Historia states that Ymir has "the worst personality ever," but that she was willing to abandon humanity if doing so would help Ymir. She states her intention to be at Ymir's side and that she trusts her above all others. While Ymir challenges her unhealthy behaviors, Historia likewise challenges Ymir on her worst aspects. When Historia is pressured by Rod to inject herself with the Titan serum and eat Eren, the memory of Ymir encouraging her to live her life with pride gives Historia the courage to reject her father's plan and rescue Eren.[53]

Rod Reiss - Rod is Historia's biological father as well as the source for much of the anguish in her life. Historia met him when she was a child and was going to live with him. However when Rod denied any relation to her when confronted by the Interior Squad and her mother was killed, Historia was given the new name Krista Lenz. Historia had since held Rod in contempt for her mother's death as well as abandoning her. Years later, Rod attempted to reclaim Historia when her true identity was revealed. While Historia was not thrilled to see him again, when Rod opened up to her and told her about his plans Historia, upon being treated with kindness from him initially accepted her part. Historia listened and nearly believed everything Rod said even when interference from Captain Akerman revealed an ulterior motive. However upon hearing on what became of Frieda after she received the power and the state of humanity, Historia finally rejected Rod upon realizing that he was only using her to reclaim the Reiss family's power.[54]

Frieda Reiss - Frieda is Historia's older half-sister but she did not know at the time. Frieda treated Historia with kindness and respect that no one else did but forgot about her whenever Frieda suppressed her memories. Upon reclaiming her memories Historia consumed with grief nearly turned her back on Eren since his father killed her and nearly went along with Rod's claim to 'bring her back'. However, recalling how Frieda was consumed by the first Reiss King's ideology when she wanted to see her Historia rejected Rod's plan as it had destroyed Frieda's humanity.

104th Training Corps - Historia is admired by the rest of the trainees, and the most popular girl among them. Many of her male classmates have a crush on her due to her beauty and kindness, as demonstrated when she rescued Reiner Braun, Armin Arlert, and Jean Kirstein. Sasha Blouse also initially thought she was a goddess, and seems to have remained close to her during training.

Mikasa Ackerman - Mikasa's reactions to Historia have always been mixed. During the Clash of the Titans arc, she makes it clear to her that she would not spare anyone who got in her way. However, when she and the rest of Levi's squad arrived in the innermost cavern of the Reiss underground chapel, she went to Historia's aid first, not Eren's. (Though this is likely because Historia was in more immediate danger, as well as having the key to free Eren on her person.) Though neither girl is likely aware of it, they are alike in that each has a person who is important to her, and each is willing to go to any length to ensure the safety and well-being of that person.

Connie Springer - They have only been shown interacting a handful of times, mostly during the Utgard Castle sequence, but it is clear that Historia and Connie are good friends. He is the one to make her aware of the truth behind Ymir's actions, and she trusts him enough to take his word at face value.

Eren Yeager - Historia had always envied Eren for always knowing his goals and being able to work toward them. Eren had initially disliked her Krista persona, seeing it as phony. Since the revelation of her true identity, Eren has come to respect her as a "stupidly honest and regular person." His statement that he likes her better as Historia meant a lot to her, and it motivated her in great part to stand up to her father and try to save Eren's life, rather than consume him.[55][56]

Alma - Alma was the mistress of Rod, Historia's father, although when Alma got pregnant, Rod was forced to send Alma away to a Reiss estate. Historia wanted the relationship that any other child has with their parent. But Alma resented her existence, wishing she had the courage to kill her.[57] Alma was incredibly distant towards her daughter and avoided any and all interaction with Historia, preferring to read or go out into the city while Historia and her parents dealt with the farm work. When Historia learned to read, she saw the typical relationship of a mother and daughter and wanted this relationship with Alma. One day, while Alma was reading, Historia tried to hug her, but Alma violently slapped her off, horrified. Crying, Alma wished she was not born. Even though she was bruised and bloody, she was happy that for the first time in her life, her mother spoke to her. This caused Alma to leave the farm. Years later, on the day of her death, Alma turned to Historia and screamed that she wished Historia was never born, as Kenny slit her throat. Despite this, Historia remembers her mother in a somewhat forgiving light, as she called her beautiful when telling her life story to the Levi Squad.[58]

People Killed

Trivia

The official site reveals that the majority of her male classmates had a crush on her, referring to her as the "Goddess" of the 104th.

A recurring gag in the series is that people actually refers to her as "goddess" or by terms related to God in several circumstances. First it was Sasha in Episode 3/Chapter 15 when Historia gave her a bread after Sasha fell tired for being forced to run for 5 hours; second time by Jean and Armin in Episode 18/Chapter 24 when she came to their rescue after they were attacked by the Female Titan; and finally in Chapter 64 when Rod was trying to convince her to regain the Coordinate and become "God".

In a Volume 11 sideart, Isayama portrayed Historia shifting into a Titan which depicted her as an angel.

Her name is based upon the song lyrics "The Unsung War" from the video game Ace Combat 5 which also serves as Inspiration for Isayama's one-shot "Heartbreak One" he had written before Shingeki no Kyojin in which the female lead character strongly resembles Historia.[citation needed]

Her name Historia is Greek in origin and means "History".[60] Also, her pseudonym Krista is of Greek origin (greek: Χριστή), meaning "she who is the anointed one". In Hebrew, "the anointed one" is "messiah".[61]

Her birthday, January 15, was celebrated in Japan as Coming of Age Day between 1948 and 2000. It is now held on the second Monday of the month, but continues to celebrate the entry into adulthood by those turning 20.

Her alias surname "Lenz" means "spring" in old German.

It is unknown if Historia is still a member of the Special Operations Squad or the Survey Corps since her coronation, because she is the only member of the Special Operations Squad not to participate in the current operation to reclaim Wall Maria and has yet to appear in the Return to Shiganshina arc.

At the Animagic 2014 series panel, producer George Wada confirmed that Ymir and Historia are "indeed a couple".[62]